MORNING THOUGHTS. Previously posted on my Facebook Page.

AP: “Why Trump's alarmist message on immigration may be resonating beyond his base.” Those who downplay or deny the U.S. border breach crisis are either thinking via partisan A.I. brain cells or simply not paying attention beyond hate memes. Many would rather hide behind Left/Right shields or anchor their dogma per Liberal/Conservative shell instead of poring over government policies that are flawed. Ah. The idiocy that partisanship zeal creates upon us. 👈👁👉

In my younger years as a journalist, I also reviewed (recorded) music and rock concerts. Of course, I organized musical events and managed bands. But my (aesthetic) appreciation and pleasure of music started and evolved from the 1960s to the end of the 20th century. Although it was easy for me to enjoy my dad and mom’s Elvis Presley, Connie Francis, and Matt Monro LPs, not so much with most music from 2000 onwards. Do I need to elaborate? I don’t need to. 🎸🎼🎷

Life happens and we age. We get older with a thick book of experiences to reflect on. The good things are easy as Simon and Garfunkel songs wafting along with a lazy afternoon breeze. The “bad” things are harder. Stupid things that we did when we were young. Silly, gullible, hard-headed. Although I didn’t do illegal drugs, broke into houses for kicks, or figured in bar brawls and got jailed, I had episodes of craziness as well. WTH did I do those?!? Stoopid me! 🧑‍🦰👨‍🦰👴

What if Donald Trump is actually jailed and bankrupted yet still allowed to run as President? The first two would surely satisfy his haters. But the third would irreparably divide the nation, whether he wins or loses. In fact, the massive crack in American society was sort of predicted by historian Howard Zinn before he died in 2010 though Mr Trump wasn’t yet in GOP’s prez shortlist at that time. Yet The D is the Perfect Alibi for such a wide Left/Right fissure in the U.S. 🗽🇺🇸🗽

Whenever the word “maid” or “servant” is mentioned, many define it as “plantation slave.” A linear gaze (sic) at slavery, mostly in a (Western) political sense. Yet “maid” in the Philippines, for example, is usually a distant relative from the province who seeks life in the city. Not hired via the job market. They are not called “alila” or “muchacha” as handed down by Spanish colonizers. They are members of the family who help in house chores. Kin. 

       Younger househelps are also sent to school by owners of the house. Some “yaya” or care providers for children also join the family on trips abroad or they live with them in the U.S. or wherever the family decides to live, beyond the Philippines. 😼😾😼

Thankfully, nice stuff and things are also present on Facebook beyond the eerie disinformation, distorted memes, and juvenile banter. Cooking videos, for example. Try Twins TV, two young ladies cooking in the forest, firewood and all. Also, these two Chinese fishermen who feast on seafoods, my favorite chow! Cat videos are very funny, funnier than dogs. But the Golden Retriever Mau Mau is not only hilarious, he is also smart. Smarter than most hoomans. Fun! 🐈🦀🐕

NY Times: “It’s the Cat’s Meow but You Just Don’t Understand.” And adds: “A study suggests that humans often misinterpret a pet’s signals; even purring doesn’t guarantee a contented cat.” Never had a problem getting along with cats. Our cat, my cat, their cat/s. I guess, I also act, behave or exist like a cat. I am aloof, calculating, careful, curious, and territorial. I don’t “touch” or hug strangers, especially. I love a crowd as long as they don't mind me. 😼😎😾

SUNDAY Easter Day THOUGHT. Yet we still come across memes and posts that vilify or insult Christian ritual as religious observance or cultural festival. Hate. When I was in India, Japan, Vietnam, and with the Muslim in Mindanao island back home, I joined days of worship and celebration. Hindu, Shinto, Buddhist. Islam. Wicca. Paganism. Atheism. We are what we are. Respect is cool. We share the good, and reject the bad. Easter Egg hunt is good. And fun. Happy Easter to y’all! ✝️🥚☮️

This side of the political caterwaul who continually demonize Christianity are concerned or just heckling-hot? that Donald Trump sells Bible copies. Mr Trump is a business person. He knows his market. And with a flood of legal hassles on his way, The D raises some dough due to the obvious. As he campaigns for November. What am I concerned with? The billions$ tossed to two current wars. As RFK Jr. puts it, military aid is “laundered” American taxpayer money. ✝️🗽☮️

Another time of year to demonize Christians, I guess? “Holy Week.” Ah. Can’t we post stuff and things that’d be enjoyed, appreciated, and shared per our commonality? Is it really pleasing, validating and self-gratifying to engage in hate frolic as Social Media activity? I was born Catholic but I am not the religious sort. I can also say a lot that I dislike about the religious or irreligious, or Pagans or Islam, Hindu etcetera. But why would I? Because it is cool to offend them? ✝️☮️☪️

More About Iran.

Previously posted on my Facebook Page.

CNN: “Narrow focus or 'unconditional surrender'? Trump's Iran demands are shifting.” / Associated Press: “U.S. and Iran offer differing accounts of warship torpedoed by submarine.” / Yahoo: “U.S. law enforcement alert warns Iran may be activating sleeper cells.” War is already wicked as is. A primal human evil. Yet how the media covers the News, or wars, these days worsens the darkness. “Opinionated” is an understatement. The bizarre conjecture (sic!) is how News is angled as a hate-Trump narrative. Overkill. 🇺🇸☮️🇮🇷

AMERICA dominates global journalism. That’s the truth and fact of news life. So what the world sees is fed by how info is tossed by U.S. media. These days though: Donald Trump is The News albeit the dark side of the moon. This comparison: Iraq was invaded in 2003 due to false WMD intel or news feed (NY Times and Washington Post apologized for the fake news). Iran 2026: The U.S. military operation that took out Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was clearly provoked by the IRGC’s massacre of thousands. That fact is loud.

      Yet Left-wing media and a number of my most “educated” friends don’t really discuss those deaths. And if they do, they say the killings of thousands of protestors were orchestrated by the U.S. Yes, turn to geopolitical cliche as a standard excuse. Some even say the Supreme Leader is well-loved by Iranians! These are my Leftist friends. Others, I marched with in the 1980s versus the dictatorship. Note that the Ferdinand Marcos Sr regime wasted or EJK’ed 4,000+ lives in 20 years. Iran’s leadership mowed down 30,000+ in a few days.

      Meanwhile, have we ever read any media report lately about how many Venezuelans were "taken out" by the 27-year Chavez/Maduro dictatorship? Tell me. ✍💻📰

About Dogs and Cats and their Buddies. And other quick jokes.

Previously posted on my Facebook Page.

BALLS are easy to throw and retrieve, and many dogs seem to find them fun to chase and catch. Frisbees can also be a popular choice for dogs that like to play fetch. Frisbees can fly through the air and provide an extra challenge. However, times have changed. Cats and dogs learned how to google, look `em up, for rationales WTH they need to do this and that. Catch! So to convince them to catch things for no apparent, sane reason, you need to prove that that is legal per animal rights. 🐕🏐🐕

DRIVERLESS, capable of traveling without input from a human operator, by means of computer systems working in conjunction with on-board sensors. Then, Fred Flintstone hoped for a car that doesn’t rely on his legs. So cars were invented. Humans worked less but used brain power more. Then we got lazy. We now want a driverless car to take us here and there so we can relax more. Driving is too much energy wasted that should be allotted for Facebooking and Netflix’ing. 🛻🚖🛻

DOGS and cats can form close bonds and even friendships with each other, but it's important to note that their interactions are based more on companionship and social dynamics rather than romantic love as humans understand it. Yes. So don’t overthink your dog and cat. They are not Republicans or Democrats. 🐈🥰🐕

CATS are considered smarter than dogs, just because of their more independent nature and ability to solve problems on their own. But dogs are more trainable, able to learn a wide variety of tricks, like search and rescue. However, training humans is an expertise of cats. Cyd, Fizz and Ching taught me subjects like optic flow, thermodynamics, quantum mechanics, objectivist epistemology, control theory, dynamical systems approach to movement, cybernetics etcetera. 🐈👩‍🏫🐕

ERASER, an object, typically a piece of soft rubber or plastic, used to rub out something written. Of course, “eraser” isn’t used anymore. The apt word is unfriend, block, delete, or “Nope, I don’t agree with you. But cool! See ya later.” (With a laughing emoji attached.) ✏️👎✏️

GOATS of all ages head butt. Most goats are social, inquisitive creatures and some even more so! Younger goats butt heads in play. Older goats participate in this activity to establish dominance and determine their position in the herd. Fizz told me the origin of “head butt.” She said the first dinosaurs’ head is located on their butt. So there you go, head butt. Also the reason why dogs, to say hello to new friends, smell butts first. Butt is like the face. Kind of. I guess. 🐏🐐🐏

TREATS. When given in moderation, they're great for bonding and training your dog and cat. But Arrow, Ching and Fizz are way past the training phase. Treats are obsolete. They get all kinds of chows. Diverse royale: Wet, dry. Fizz just text’ed me this: “Can you get us packs of Churu PremiumPlus+ squeezables? We just finished the SealMeal and Hartz. And also Cloud Star Buddy biscuits and Zuke’s naturals for Arrow. She googled those last night. She wants to try some. Thanks!” 🐈😋🐕

THERE is an app called Heaven. It is a trending dating app specifically designed for gay men and other members of the LGBTQI+ community. The platform allows you to meet fascinating individuals and enjoy your time without the worry of discrimination or social stigmas. Heaven revolutionizes the dating scene, it says. There is also an app for sexist and homophobic people. It is called Hell. (Just kidding, okay?) 😇📲😈

DO cats think humans are weird? Cats actually view people as fellow cats. Some researchers believe cats look at us as big, slow, clumsy, uncoordinated cats, but others say they're not quite so judgemental. The good thing is, whether or not they're judging our balance and agility, they still love us! Just don’t take on a  serious way or be so touchy about whatever your cat posted on Facebook about you. But yes you may name your new cat, if ever you have one, Jo Koy. It’s an okay name. 🥸😼😾

CATS and dogs are drawn to babies due to their nurturing instincts. Cats and babies can live together happily, but it will take some familial preparation to make sure everything is okay. It is important to prepare your cat for the upcoming changes, like a living thing who isn’t facing a cellphone. A dog's instinctual protective nature stems from their pack animal origins. And dogs think a baby is a puppy. But don’t let your baby squeak like your dog’s stuffed toy, you know what I mean? 🐈👶🐕

STUFF. Leaving America. Trade Deficit. More Ice. And Stuff.

Harper's Bazaar: “Why more women are leaving America.” They said: “For the 1st time in my adult life, I feel safe.” Okay. First of all, compared with others, Americans don’t need to go through tedious, painstaking visa applications to go anywhere in the world. And so if you have the dough, go ahead, go! Anytime. Then, they’ll be back whenever the “political whining” subsides.

      Yet Americans are not in the Top 5 of “I’ll go fly somewhere and leave home!” humanity. India is the world's leading country of origin for international migrants, with over 18 million citizens living abroad. Next: China, Mexico, Ukraine, and Russia. Migrations are driven by factors like work, education, and conflict. And Trump-induced drama. 👩‍🦰✈️👩‍🦳

Yahoo: “U.S. trade deficit widens, capping one of biggest since 1960.” Hey! Times have changed, and global trade has evolved–especially after China joined the WTO in 2001. Import/export or deficit/suplus don’t matter that much anymore. The pros and cons of both economic activity are a long discourse but, no big deal to me. In fact, most countries these days maintain deficits with China, or deficits overall. The only (large) countries that have surplus relations with China are Brazil, Australia, and Russia. 💸🏢💸

Reuters: “Trump administration expands ICE authority to detain legal refugees.” Media distortion of info! I don’t think ICE would just randomly grab anyone then toss them to Sudan or El Salvador, as what Left-wing journalism tells us. Are you that clueless to bite all these anti-Trump administration rabble-rouse?

      The historical fact is, foreigners or immigrants (legal residents, naturalized citizens) are removed, depending on the gravity of their offenses or crime. Refer to these, at least. <>1798: “Alien and Sedition Acts” and 1812-1940: “Alien Enemy Act.” Hasn’t stopped. Other countries don't do that, as well. 🗽🏃‍♀️🏃

NBC: “12 Democrats to skip Trump's State of the Union address and attend rival rally.” Again, not biggie news. Politicians have historically skipped the State of the Union address as a form of protest. Recent examples beside the new AOC drama?

     Google `em: 2016,  Rep. Cynthia McKinney. 2010: Rep. Lynn Westmoreland. 2012: Rep. John Lewis. 2015: Rep. Ted Yoho. 2018: Reps. Lewis and Earl Blumenauer. 2019: Rep. Maxine Waters. More, in fact. They got reasons. I reckon that they watched SOTU on TV and provided the transcript of the speech. But yes politicians have a right to hyperventilate their theatrics (sic). 🏛🗽🏛

Reuters: “FCC requests transcript of Bad Bunny Super Bowl halftime performance.” I didn’t watch it so I didn’t know what the issue was. And NY Post: “FCC chair says agency is weighing action over 'The View' interview.” I don’t watch this show as well. You may (probably) also add to the Netflix episode whatever Stephen Colbert is yapping about in regards to his interview with Texas Rep. James Talarico.

      Anyhow, the FCC does not generally require transcripts for all public concerts (or TV shows), but it may request them to investigate complaints regarding violations of indecency or profanity regulations. So if the other side of the divide complains, the FCC has to respond. That’s just the way Democracy works. 🏛🗽🏛

About Dogs and Cats and their Buddies. And other quick jokes.

Previously posted on my Facebook Page.

BALLS are easy to throw and retrieve, and many dogs seem to find them fun to chase and catch. Frisbees can also be a popular choice for dogs that like to play fetch. Frisbees can fly through the air and provide an extra challenge. However, times have changed. Cats and dogs learned how to google, look `em up, for rationales WTH they need to do this and that. Catch! So to convince them to catch things for no apparent, sane reason, you need to prove that that is legal per animal rights. 🐕🏐🐕

DRIVERLESS, capable of traveling without input from a human operator, by means of computer systems working in conjunction with on-board sensors. Then, Fred Flintstone hoped for a car that doesn’t rely on his legs. So cars were invented. Humans worked less but used brain power more. Then we got lazy. We now want a driverless car to take us here and there so we can relax more. Driving is too much energy wasted that should be allotted for Facebooking and Netflix’ing. 🛻🚖🛻

DOGS and cats can form close bonds and even friendships with each other, but it's important to note that their interactions are based more on companionship and social dynamics rather than romantic love as humans understand it. Yes. So don’t overthink your dog and cat. They are not Republicans or Democrats. 🐈🥰🐕

CATS are considered smarter than dogs, just because of their more independent nature and ability to solve problems on their own. But dogs are more trainable, able to learn a wide variety of tricks, like search and rescue. However, training humans is an expertise of cats. Cyd, Fizz and Ching taught me subjects like optic flow, thermodynamics, quantum mechanics, objectivist epistemology, control theory, dynamical systems approach to movement, cybernetics etcetera. 🐈👩‍🏫🐕

ERASER, an object, typically a piece of soft rubber or plastic, used to rub out something written. Of course, “eraser” isn’t used anymore. The apt word is unfriend, block, delete, or “Nope, I don’t agree with you. But cool! See ya later.” (With a laughing emoji attached.) ✏️👎✏️

GOATS of all ages head butt. Most goats are social, inquisitive creatures and some even more so! Younger goats butt heads in play. Older goats participate in this activity to establish dominance and determine their position in the herd. Fizz told me the origin of “head butt.” She said the first dinosaurs’ head is located on their butt. So there you go, head butt. Also the reason why dogs, to say hello to new friends, smell butts first. Butt is like the face. Kind of. I guess. 🐏🐐🐏

TREATS. When given in moderation, they're great for bonding and training your dog and cat. But Arrow, Ching and Fizz are way past the training phase. Treats are obsolete. They get all kinds of chows. Diverse royale: Wet, dry. Fizz just text’ed me this: “Can you get us packs of Churu PremiumPlus+ squeezables? We just finished the SealMeal and Hartz. And also Cloud Star Buddy biscuits and Zuke’s naturals for Arrow. She googled those last night. She wants to try some. Thanks!” 🐈😋🐕

THERE is an app called Heaven. It is a trending dating app specifically designed for gay men and other members of the LGBTQI+ community. The platform allows you to meet fascinating individuals and enjoy your time without the worry of discrimination or social stigmas. Heaven revolutionizes the dating scene, it says. There is also an app for sexist and homophobic people. It is called Hell. (Just kidding, okay?) 😇📲😈

DO cats think humans are weird? Cats actually view people as fellow cats. Some researchers believe cats look at us as big, slow, clumsy, uncoordinated cats, but others say they're not quite so judgemental. The good thing is, whether or not they're judging our balance and agility, they still love us! Just don’t take on a  serious way or be so touchy about whatever your cat posted on Facebook about you. But yes you may name your new cat, if ever you have one, Jo Koy. It’s an okay name. 🥸😼😾

CATS and dogs are drawn to babies due to their nurturing instincts. Cats and babies can live together happily, but it will take some familial preparation to make sure everything is okay. It is important to prepare your cat for the upcoming changes, like a living thing who isn’t facing a cellphone. A dog's instinctual protective nature stems from their pack animal origins. And dogs think a baby is a puppy. But don’t let your baby squeak like your dog’s stuffed toy, you know what I mean? 🐈👶🐕

Lost (longtime friendships) Due to Social Media Political Zealotry.

From my responses to Facebook posts.

IT is an understatement to say that we lost friends, friendships that we created long before there was internet, because of this Left-Right/anti-Trump zeal on social media. 

       I was a very visible Left-wing activist then. Organizer, part of advising teams, and indie publisher/editor until I saw the Organized Left (back home in the Philippines) disintegrated due to infighting in the mid-1990s. That year I decided to move to New York City and regroup. I also had to fully recuperate from a lung ailment, mostly inflicted by my super-relentless Left-wing activities. I almost died in 1995. 

       Yet I was still drawn to Leftist activism in NYC and helped a nonprofit organization write a funding grant, while I co-organized cause-oriented events. My experience with these clueless zealots and rahrah choir chanters was the worst chapter of my life in America. A lot worse than my frustration from the RJ vs RA fissure in Manila.  

       "Pop politics," you know. Bandwagon noise. 

       I again messed up my lungs. So after my surgery, I moved to Asheville (North Carolina) to heal and chill. I eventually organized events and published a tiny paper for THE Community. Left, Right, whatever--community. EVERYBODY was happy. The only common ideal that I maintained is anti-war. 

       But life and politics changed in a very short time. Many of my anti-war friends have “mellowed down” or now prefer to throw their full activism energy on hate-Trump noise (mostly in Social Media) over the pro-active advocacy to end all these wars. Of course, they don't support Mr Trump's efforts to persistently broker peace amidst all the magnificent challenges, internally and globally. 

       These days, I just stay indoors mostly, write and when I go out to do errands, only with two female BFFs, separately. Friends who are more Conservative traditionally (than politically, like my family) but essentially "unengaged" but calm and peaceful. And definitely, fun. ☮️☮️☮️

Compilation of short MORNING THOUGHTS.

Previously posted on my Facebook Page.

Asians in America are seldom uneducated. They finished 4 years of college back home. Then they study more here for better financial headway. Many are already Communication grads yet they take nursing course/s for practical reasons. Business degree-holders but janitors for now; lawyers and engineers later. Doctors at home but right now CVS salesclerks; surgeons later. Yet not so vocal about politics? They don’t see the point. Waste of time. But they vote.

      I am an Asian. Why do I know? For years, I wrote for/edited Asian/Filipino newspapers in New York City and Los Angeles, apart from a long career as journalist/editor back home. 

      Not many know that Asians are top English speaking people in the world, besides of a number of other languages that they are fluent with. Top English speaking countries or most English speakers in the world: United States, India, Pakistan, The Philippines, Nigeria, United Kingdom, The Netherlands, Denmark. So when an Asian doesn’t talk much while in a crowd of “English speakers,” it doesn’t mean they don’t know what’s going on. They just prefer to hush. ✏️📝📌

In 1945, the U.S. Army Air Forces conducted an air raid, fire-bombing Tokyo toward the end of World War II. The attack destroyed nearly 16 square miles of the city, resulted in as many as 100,000 civilian deaths and left about one million residents without homes. That was America’s response to the Pearl Harbor bombing. Unending lesson. We can stop this current war by simply this: Quit handing weapons to Ukraine, pull troops out, and continue talking on the table.☮️☮️☮️

News: “President Biden's vow to make Vladimir Putin a `pariah’ on the world stage and label him a war criminal could be a risky personalization of the war.” I follow the news 24/7 and I followed the President’s nonstop dissing from Day 1, which easily evolved into personal jabs, of Putin. It may please your Rambo vs Drago Cold War fix but this ain’t Hollywood or Olympics. Biden has got to pull back a bit. Worse, the media is even goading China to join in. Whacked.

       Can’t we allow Peace up front sometimes? Leadership doesn't get hurt when shit happens. Right now, it is the people of Ukraine and Russia who are getting it. You see, Volo has lots of “secret assets” stashed somewhere and Vlad ain’t poor. Offhand, Joe has amassed $8 million just from his book and speaking engagements. Their personal economics are just fine. But with the way arms and stuff are being handed left and right along with nonstop murkthrows

within/around the propaganda dartboard, the fires of war may spread into the entire region. That is not a remote possibility. Not even talking about the global economic whip that an unresolved difference/s between superpower economies excise on global trade. ☮️☮️☮️

Only 50 percent on average vote in U.S. presidential elections. All Potuses had 50/50 (or lower) approval ratings, besides JFK (who didn’t complete his term). Which means, despite the rowdy partisanship divide on social media, only half of America minds politics that much. They mind rent or mortgage, cost of gasoline, price of toilet paper and carton of milk. They mind 7.5 percent inflation and $7.25 minimum wage. That's the time that they’d mind about a president. 🗽💵🗽

True, pets in the house train/ed me more than I trained them. But Arrow is different. She takes “learning” to a new level. Here, we got stocks of food. We are prepared for zombie apocalypse, covid apocalypse, brandon apocalypse etc. Arrow observes us. So she keeps or buries her leftover foods all over the living room: Between couch cushions, among her toys, in fact—even under my bed pillow! She checks her “bone collection” every now and then. Smart babedawg! The name is Arrow. 🐕🦴🐕

Some people are still in denial. Because you’re supposed to be Left? The U.S. is the world’s top economy and the most influential. But the 7.7 percent inflation bites! Hard. True, most nations deal with high costs of gasoline. But the U.S. has the highest inflation rate among rich countries. China, 2.2 percent; Japan, 0.8 percent; Europe av, 3+ percent. I feel for parents with 3 kids who drive them to school then go to work, 6 days a week. That’s reality in the gut. 

       Worse, the government just redirected fund meant for Covid relief into sending more arms to Ukraine. Are we seeing the same waste of taxpayer’s money (as we did in Afghanistan) on another prolonged war? 😩🥺😢

A most-shared newslink per Ukraine War: News about Christopher Wynne, an American, who runs Papa John’s 190 stores in Russia—amidst the Ukraine crisis. Sure, many are calling for a ban of Russian products and sanctions on Russia. Yet what do sanctions/ban do to a targeted leadership and their business? Opening for a rival business to get in. Think oil/natural gas. Economic sanction? The ultimate victim? The people. At least Mr Wynne tries to feed as he earns.

       Says Christopher dude: “At the end of the day, they appreciate a good pizza.” And has humor. But on account of war, though he ain’t in Kiev (or Kyiv), that doesn’t mean he’s beyond danger. He is. The guys who sell the arms are not in the line of fire. But the guy who sells the pizza is. ☮️🍕☮️

St Patrick’s Day! Drink but don’t drive! When we mention Valentine’s Day and Christmas, the sourpuss howls consumerism and anti-Christianity. But not on St Paddy, right? Saint Patrick, who was born Maewyn Succat in 386 A.D., was a 5th century Romano-British Christian/Catholic missionary. On this day, overall beer sales go up more than 150 percent. Valentine's Day spending in the U.S. is around $24 billion. Saint Valentine or Valentine of Terni is also a Christian.

       My point: Let days such as this—Christian, Pagan, Buddhist, Islam etcetera—gather us for fun and goodness. Dark historical backgrounders are all past tense. We have now. Meanwhile, consumer spending is common sense; don’t blame the day. Drinking is common sense as well; don’t blame St Paddy. ☘️🍻☘️

A friend unfriended me because I responded to his (partisan-ignited) denial of the current economic shudder with: “Trump tried to prevent this war in 2019 by not handing military aid to Ukraine. For that, he was impeached.” You see, I “judge” a president as president, not as my drinking buddy. Hence, I won’t last two minutes with Trump. But I’d spend hours with Obama talking about bracketology and stuff. With Biden? I’d probably sleep while he’s talkin’.☮️☮️☮️